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The Board of Directors
The South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce is pleased to share its list of Board of Directors for the 2023/2024 term.
The term of the elected Board is from July 1st to June 30th of the following year. The new board is determined at the Annual General Meeting, held prior to June 30th. Throughout the year, there are circumstances when Directors have to leave the Board due to other commitments. In that case, new Directors are inducted by the existing Board at the monthly meetings. The list is updated accordingly.
Interested in joining one of the following Board Committees?
Advocacy | Economic Development | Finance | Governance | Membership & Engagement | Events, Arts & Culture
Please email info@sswrchamber.ca.
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Executive
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Bill Brooks, Chamber President and Chair
Managing Partner, BEC Entertainment Network Inc.
Bill, a longtime resident of the South Surrey - White Rock area, is an accomplished Event Marketer, Promoter and Producer with a proven track record designing, building and executing dynamic, entertaining and profitable events through contracts with clients and industry contacts. Managing the process with stakeholders includes funding procurement, strategic partnerships, government relations, marketing communications and event marketing & management. He is a member of the City of White Rock Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee, a Board Member of the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo and is the Chair of the Youth Service Committee. Bill is also the President of the Penmar Community Arts Society which supports local community arts initiatives.
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Anthony Manning, Vice President and Vice Chair
Director, White Rock Museum & Archives
Anthony Manning is the White Rock Museum & Archives' representative to the Chamber. He's lived in White Rock since 2014 and served on city council 2018-22. Anthony believes connecting businesses and residents makes a stronger, more vibrant community. He has over three decades of experience in commercial aviation, with Air Canada Express since 2006 as a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and previously in a variety of management positions with United Airlines in San Francisco, where he lived for 20 years. The child of a military family, Anthony grew up in Germany, Washington, DC and Southern California. He earned a Bachelors in Journalism from Humboldt State University and a Masters in History from American Military University.
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Jay Lehal, Treasurer
Construction Manager, Polygon Homes
Jay Lehal is a construction manager at Polygon Homes, where he manages multiple projects with varying scopes of work to ensure that they are delivered on time and within budget. Jay’s interest in construction comes from seeing projects transform from concepts to completed homes for communities. Jay attended SFU and BCIT and completed his bachelor’s in construction management. He grew up in South Surrey where he attended Earl Marriott Secondary and played minor hockey for the Semiahmoo Ravens. Jay is excited to contribute to the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce to help and support his local community.
Jay enjoys traveling and has visited over 15 countries. He is inspired by meeting people from different cultures and walks of life. His favourite place he has visited is Madrid for its architecture, soccer, and lively culture of the city. In his spare time, Jay can be found at the gym, golfing, or playing with his German Shepard, Jackson.
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Directors
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Listed alphabetically by last name
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Gurjinder Bhurji
Salon Owner & Real Estate Agent, Signature Real Estate Group
Gurjinder K Bhurji started her career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (RT) in 1985. The next part of her life was spent raising her four children before moving on to a new career in 2013 as a Realtor with Royallepage Wolstencroft Realty. She also became a promoter for women in business and held an annual women’s networking event, building a network of over 700 women who inspired each other. In 2020, Gurjinder invested in a Salon business called Stylin’ Confidence Beauty Salon in Surrey. The vision for this business is to build confidence in women from the inside out. The Salon is fully staffed with 5 professionals and hosts students from local schools for work experience. For the past three years, Gurjinder has been following her passion of running, jogging and biking as she is a believer that healthy bodies create healthy minds. She takes great pride in being the Race Director of Run Surrey Run, an in-person professional road race event in our Downtown City of Surrey. This event is in its 3rd year and its vision is to build a healthier Surrey. Aside from her businesses she is also on the Board of Surrey Parks and Recreation Committee, and West Panorama Rate Payers Association. Gurjinder wishes to inspire everyone to focus on our health as we age.
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Ramona Kaptyn
Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) BC Chief Advocacy & Communications Officer; President, White Rock/Surrey Chapter; & Director, CARP National Board
A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (Journalism) and the University of Toronto (Education/Political Science), Ramona has worked as a reporter, travel writer, editor, teacher, hotel managing director, government information officer, event planner and fundraiser in Canada, Australia, England, Spain, and Asia.
From 2002 to 2008, Ramona worked in international development to contribute to a more equitable world. In Vietnam, she taught hotel management and first aid, and was an organizational development advisor to four NGOs in Bangladesh where focus was on good governance & micro-credit for women. In Malaysia, she prepared Grade 12 scholarship students for entry into Canadian universities.
Ramona currently serves on various committees, notably City of White Rock’s Housing Committee. She is recipient of a 2022 Outstanding Canadian on the Peninsula Award as well as two Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medallions.
Travelling is a passion having taken her to many European countries, Great Britain, as well as Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Japan, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the former Soviet Union.
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Margarett Lange
Outreach & Events Manager, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers
Margarett Lange is the Outreach & Events Manager for Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. She has over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality, tourism and film industry sectors with the majority of her work in Surrey, BC.
Prior to joining Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, Margarett worked with Fountana Real Estate Development, Hilton and Starwood Hotels, creating memorable experiences and fostering meaningful connections.
Margarett serves on a number of committees including the City of Surrey Age Friendly Committee.
She has been an active member of the Surrey community and is passionate about building long lasting relationships and being a trusted advisor to her clients. Margarett’s dedicated attention to quality, tenacious energy and hands on approach ensures visitors will fall in love with our vibrant city and all it has to offer.
Margarett resides in Langley, BC and her passion is spending time with her family, travelling and meeting new people.
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Qingchun Lu
Partner, Assurance Services, MNP LLP
A member of MNP’s Private Enterprise team, Qingchun delivers tailored corporate and individual tax and accounting services and consulting services on internal controls.
Qingchun works closely with small- to medium-sized companies as well as individuals, with a focus on Chinese immigrants and investors from China. He helps businesses in the real estate, education, high tech, food service and other sectors. His services include management consulting and financial management consulting.
Qingchun’s familiarity with Chinese tax and accounting and more than a decade of teaching and academic experience help him to communicate effectively with his clients, helping them make the appropriate decisions for their unique circumstances to achieve their goals. While Qingchun is based in Vancouver, he is also available to meet with clients in the firm’s Surrey office.
Qingchun earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting (BBA) from Nanjing Auditing University in 2000, and a Master of Management (MM) in accounting in 2003 and PhD in management (accounting) in 2008 from Hohai University, Nanjing, China. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Certified General Accountant (CGA) in 2015 (qualifying in China in 2003).
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Heather Martin
President, Comfort Keepers
Heather Martin has many years of professional and general management experience and has used this experience to build her own successful corporation, Comfort Keepers, servicing the whole of the lower mainland and Victoria. Prior to venturing into Comfort Keepers, she worked for 18 years with a US based company assisting with public relations, acquisitions, divestitures and general administration.
Through Comfort Keepers, she is very involved in the South Surrey/White Rock community and helps organize programs and events for seniors. Comfort Keepers was awarded the 2017 Business Excellence Award from the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce. She spends her spare time helping and volunteering with organizations like Luke 15 House and preparing and serving meals at The Door Is Open, Vancouver and Surrey Urban Missions.
Heather is the Chair for the Semiahmoo Seniors Planning Table and Co-Chair on the Burnaby Seniors Resources Society. She is also the Vice President of the Seniors Come Share Board. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Psychology and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She resides with her family in Surrey.
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Merv Sandrel
Account Manager, Monarch Floor & Window Coverings
Merv Sandrel’s businesses have been Chamber Members since 1990 with Hallmark Carpets, Ball Park Sports and now Monarch Floors and Window Coverings, as well as serving as a director for 2 terms from 1998-2001. Originally owning and operating the largest floorcovering company on the peninsula, he sold it to the employees in 2008. Fulfilling a promise made to Bill Reid, he opened up a new business in Cloverdale in 2009 (North White Rock as Mr. Reid called it). He ran Ball Park Sports for 10 years before selling it to retire. Both these companies won a combined 4 Business Excellence Awards over the years.
Today, after failing miserably to retire twice and missing the challenges of business, he is now the account manager for Monarch overseeing the South Surrey, White Rock and Langley market. Merv still will say that it was his company’s involvement with the community and the Chamber that attributed to the success he and his employees had over many years. He is looking forward to help continue the good work that the Directors and the Staff of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce do for the community.
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Louise Tremblay
Executive Director, Brella Community Services Society
Louise Tremblay has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles in the private and non-for-profit sectors. Prior to joining Brella, she was concurrently the Director of Development at UNITI and a Consultant with the BC Association of Community Response Networks. She was also on the Board of Directors of Brella for 7 years, three of which she served as Chair. Louise earned a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University where she conducted a research project on inclusive workplaces. She was the recipient of the 2017 Surrey Board of Trade Woman in Business Award for not-for-profit leadership. Her volunteering activities include working for organizations providing services to older adults and people with disabilities and translating social science books for children with learning disabilities. Louise feels honoured and privileged to be working with collaborative groups who share her passion about developing inclusive and safe communities where diverse people can thrive and experience life to its fullest potential. While Louise was born and raised in Quebec, she lived much of her adult life in Western Canada, including Edmonton and Winnipeg. She has been a resident of South Surrey/White Rock since 1993.
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Rich Ulvild
Mortgage Professional, XEVA Mortgage LLP
Rich Ulvild is an experienced Mortgage Specialist with a passion for helping clients achieve their financial dreams. With over 19 years of industry experience, Rich has successfully guided numerous clients through the mortgage landscape, providing personalized advice and support every step of the way. With a deep understanding of both brokerage and insider perspectives, Rich brings a wealth of knowledge to his clients. Having served as a Vice President of Dominion Lending Centers and as a Business Development Manager at Home Trust and HomeEquity Bank, he possesses unique insights into the industry. Rich's experience at HomeEquity Bank solidified his passion for helping seniors overcome financial challenges, prompting him to refocus his career as a Mortgage Specialist and empower seniors to access the equity in their homes through reverse mortgages. His dedication to assisting families and enhancing their financial stability during retirement has made a significant impact on the lives of many.
He is a member of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association - BC and Mortgage Professionals Canada. Additionally, Rich actively contributes to the community as a member of the Semiahmoo Seniors Planning Table and serves as a Director of the White Rock/Surrey Chapter of CARP. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rich is deeply rooted in the community he serves. Proud to have grown up in Surrey, he now calls South Surrey his home. When not assisting clients with their mortgage needs, Rich enjoys spending quality time with his family and close friends. You can often find him exploring the beautiful outdoors, indulging in cycling, camping, and boating.
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Summer Xu
Financial Planner, TD Wealth
Summer is an experienced Wealth Financial Planner at TD, dedicated to helping individuals in the South Surrey and White Rock community make informed decisions about their finances to improve their overall financial well-being. With a passion for personal finance, Summer has been assisting clients in identifying their financial goals and objectives, creating tailored strategies, and guiding them through the process of achieving their desired outcomes. Her expertise lies in working with mass affluent clients, understanding their unique needs and aspirations, and developing comprehensive financial plans to help them achieve their goals. Summer takes pride in building long-term relationships based on trust, professionalism, and a deep understanding of her clients' financial situations.
Summer's journey in the financial industry began when she came to Canada as an international student and pursued her studies in Personal Financial Planning at BCIT. After graduating, she moved to Surrey and joined TD in 2010. Since then, she has been committed to providing exceptional financial planning services to her clients. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Summer is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of financial planning and achieve their financial goals. She is passionate about empowering her clients to make informed financial decisions and supporting them on their journey towards financial success.
In addition to her work at TD, Summer actively contributes to the community. She is also a member of the Asian Business Committee, where she helps bridge the gap for Chinese small business owners, providing them with resources and support to help them succeed and feel more integrated into the local culture. Summer believes in giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of others.
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Thank you to our generous Pillar Partners
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